It won’t be long now and snow will start falling on your roof. Snow and ice present unique challenges when it comes to making sure your roof is in the best shape it can be. The winter season will bring with it snow and hail storms and you should be prepared to handle the results of them. This means knowing what maintenance you can do yourself and what you should leave up to a Minneapolis roofing company.

Removal After a Large Snow Storm

Large amounts of snow on your roof can lead to ice dams and put a lot of extra weight and stress on it. There is a special tool called a “roof rake”. Using this tool to slowly pull snow down in the direction of the slope of your roof. Never pull snow across your shingles or worse use a shovel to remove snow from your roof. These two things can lead to damage of your shingles and possibly even cause leaks.

Ice Dams

Ice dams can cause a lot of winter damage on your roof left unchecked. Large icicles hanging from your roof are a visual sign that you may be developing problems with ice dams. Ice dams form around the perimeter of your roof and stop the flow of melting snow. They can push up under your roof and lead to extensive damage to both your roof and the interior of your home as water melts into your attic. They should be removed quickly.

Before chipping at ice make certain you have removed any extra snow using your roof rake. Then you can chip at the ice to try and get the water moving. When it comes to ice dams you may be best served contacting a Minneapolis roofing company. Having a professional roofer remove your ice dams can prevent you from getting hurt or from inadvertently damaging shingles while chipping at the ice.

After Hail Storms

Hail is frozen rain. It forms frozen solid ice balls or pellets. It can range in size from very small to golf ball sized plus, and the damage it causes can range just as largely.

After hail storms look around at ground level to see if there has been damage done. If your car has dents or cracked windshields chances are your roof has sustained damage. If your foliage around the house looks battered and war-torn, you should be concerned about your roof.

You should have a Minneapolis roofing company out to look at your roof after hail storms to do a complete investigation.

When You Need a Fast Fix….

You may have damage from winter storm that requires a Minneapolis roofing company, but until they arrive at your home you will need to deal with. For example if winter storms have broken through windows or your roof its self you’ll want to get it covered temporarily. These temporary fixes can stop water and snow from entering your home further and causing more damage.

A waterproof canvas tightly covering leaking areas can hold water off until your roofers arrive.

Winter Tips

After snow and hail storms your roof can be icy and slippery, DON’T ever step on to it. Do all your investigation from a ladder. Not only is it dangerous for you, walking on your roof can cause further damage. Don’t risk the fall, call a Minneapolis roofing company for a more thorough investigation.

Get ready for the upcoming snow and hail storms. Clean gutters help to prevent ice dams so make sure you have completed all your fall maintenance work. And remember ice and snow can make it dangerous to go out on your roof, a Minneapolis roofing company can safely do the repair work for you.

Call Tradition Roofing and Exteriors for your winter needs after the snow and hail storms hit!

"Excellent company. They gave an honest opinion and got the work done extremely fast."
- Tami J. in Lakeville, MN

"Tradition Roofing delivered what they promised and more!"
- Rob D. in St. Paul, MN

"We had leaking during the winter. Tradition Roofing came right out and went up on the roof (which was full of snow) and broke up the ice dams. Then in June (2010) they came back and replaced our roof, and it's BEAUTIFUL!!! Very professional group. I would recommend them to my own children."
- Karen P. Rockford, MN